Why should Merrimack Valley be my event’s next location?

If you’re thinking of where to plan your team’s next sports event, look no further—Merrimack Valley is just the spot. With variety in every category from venues and activities to shopping and dining, you will have all your necessities covered. Near the Atlantic Coast, its location is ideal for an event that feels like a vacation. A short commute from Boston means even more activities are available. Festivals are spread out throughout the year for teams to enjoy during free time.

One interesting fact about Merrimack Valley is the movie The Fighter was filmed here. This movie, based on a true story, is about Lowell native and boxer Micky Ward and his rise to becoming a renowned boxer. If Merrimack Valley’s sports successes are good enough for a feature film, you can bet the same for your players and spectators.

Merrimack Valley has over 40 lodging options including inns, hotels and bed and breakfasts. The team will have no problem finding a pillow to lay their head at night after a day of competing.

Merrimack Valley will not disappoint teams that are looking for state-of-the-art sporting facilities, yummy dining and fun activities to do on their downtime. Bring your event to this quaint Massachusetts area for a well-rounded, unforgettable experience.

What is there to do off the court?

History, arts, culture, shopping, great food and much more await in Merrimack Valley.

Go for a Liberty Ride down the historic Battle Road in a trolley where your tour guide, dressed in colonial clothes, recounts the events that defined America and its culture today.

Brush Art Gallery and Studios presents exquisite art from all different mediums—paintings, photography, jewelry, sculptures, ceramics and quilting can all be seen here.

The Annual Summer Artisans Market has one-of-a-kind creations to add to your collections. Ceramics, jewelry and woodworks are some of the treasures you can take home. A Pocketful of Posies is also a beautiful shop to stop in, with unique gifts and home accessories. It was named Best Gift Shop of 2014 in Boston’s A-List. Crafty Yankee in Lexington is a local artisan shop showcasing beautiful ceramics, jewelry, pottery, glassware and home accessories. These works are designed by New England artisans as well as artisans from around the world. Fashionistas in your group will love Humanity Boutique in Lowell. They have a wide variety of clothing and accessories for both trendsetters and trend followers.

Altitude Trampoline Park makes for a day full of adrenaline. Bring the team to this 30,000-square-foot indoor park to enjoy a two-sided rock wall, dodgeball courts, tumble tracks, open jumps and foam pits. Wamesit Lanes is a state of the art facility featuring 28 bowling lanes and 8 private/boutique bowling lanes. It offers candlepin bowling, ten pin bowling, Bocce and HD golf simulators.

If you’re in town at the right times, visit one of Merrimack Valley’s festivals! The Lowell Folk Festival, Lowell Food and Wine Festival, Yankee Doodle Homecoming Festival and Fine Arts & Crafts Festival are a few fun festivals it has to offer.

Merrimack Valley has many excellent restaurant options. 189 Prime is a steakhouse in Andover that features prime steaks, fresh Atlantic seafood, salads with locally sourced greens and organic produce in season. Artistry on The Green offers New England style cuisine in Lexington. Athenian Corner Restaurant is not only delicious, but entertaining as well—there’s live Greek music and belly dancing on weekend nights. Cobblestones of Lowell has a unique variety of options to please even the pickiest of eaters.

X Factors

  • Pre-planning
  • Program assistance
  • Destination literature and welcome packets
  • Publicity & promotion
  • Hospitality support
  • Site visits
  • Housing bureau assistance
  • Guest programs/special events
  • Bid proposals
  • Local ambassadors to greet guests

Planner Perspective

When you drive through Lowell, Massachusetts the last thing that you would expect is that this little city could host a major sporting event like the Fed Cup. But once you stay here and look around—once you soak in the atmosphere and emotions that were put into this week—you realize that you can’t measure heart and enthusiasm by a mile.

– Greg Laub, USTA

We work with the CVB leadership and staff every year in conjunction with our annual synchronized skating competition. Not only does the CVB help coordinate sponsorships from the local hotels and restaurants, this organization is our biggest supporter before, during and after the event. Every year, we can’t wait to work with the CVB again!

– Kris Farren – Chair, Colonial Classic Synchronized Skating and World Junior Team Selection Competition

I have had the good fortune to work with the Greater Merrimack Valley CVB as they have helped with several rowing regattas. These events, including the Lowell Invitational, the United States Rowing Association Northeast District Junior Rowing Championships, and the Massachusetts Public School State Championship, bring hundreds of competitors, and thousands of spectators into the city. They are difficult events to coordinate and run; yet with the CVB’s extraordinary work, all of our visitors found a warm welcome to our beautiful city.

– Jennifer Bauer –Regatta Coordinator, Lowell High School Crew

What do Merrimack Valley’s facilities have to offer?

Edward A. Lelacheur Park

Sports: Baseball

Home to the Lowell Spinners, Lowell’s baseball team, Edward A. Lelacheur Park is the ideal place to hold a baseball tournament in Lowell. The stadium, located on the banks of the Merrimack River, can hold up to 5,000 guests.

Lowell High School

Sports: Swimming, wrestling, basketball, track

Lowell High School has a three-court gymnasium, indoor track, indoor swimming pool and a wrestling room to accommodate various sporting events.

Lowell Memorial Auditorium

Sports: Boxing, dance

This auditorium was built in 1922 in honor of the local war veterans. It’s a multi purpose facility, but it has mainly hosted boxing competitions, such as the Golden Gloves. Famous boxers like Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Rocky Marciano each won their first Golden Gloves title here. The auditorium seats up to 3,000 people and is easily reached from major surrounding highways 38 and 110.

Martin Alumni Athletic Complex

Sports: Baseball, football, field hockey, lacrosse, track, softball

Martin Alumni Athletic Complex is a multi-sport complex that can host baseball, football, softball, field hockey, lacrosse and track tournaments. Its recently renovated turf field is ideal for all of the above. With a 6,000-seat stadium, there’s room for everyone at this Lowell athletic complex.

Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell

Sports: Hockey, tennis, skating, curling, cheerleading, synchronized skating, wrestling, basketball

Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell has 17,000 square feet of arena space, and can seat 6,500 spectators for a hockey tournament. It has hosted a few high-profile events like the 2003 Fed Cup Tennis Tournament and the 2005 National Synchronized Skating Championship. It’s also home to the University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks ice hockey team. The arena is convenient walking distance from downtown Lowell and perfect for large groups.

UMass Lowell Bellegarde Boathouse

Sports: Watersports

Recently under a $1 million renovation, UMass Lowell Bellegarde Boathouse is an amazing facility to bring your sports team. Rowing and kayaking are the two main water sports seen at this facility. A plus about Bellegarde is it’s located along the north bank of the Merrimack River, so the Boathouse provides one of the region’s most spectacular views of waterfront sunsets.

UML Campus Rec Center, Volleyball Set UpUMass Lowell Campus Recreation Center

Sports: Basketball, track, squash, dance, martial arts, volleyball

UMass Lowell Campus Recreation Center is a two-story, 65,000-square-foot facility used to host indoor track, basketball and squash competitions. It has three basketball courts, two racquetball courts and one squash court. There’s a multi purpose room that is sometimes used for dance or martial arts competitions.

UMass Lowell Cushing Field Complex

Sports: Track, soccer

UMass Lowell Cushing Field Complex contains a natural-turf soccer field with a state-of-the-art press box, lights, and a track to host competitive track and field events. It is located along the VFW Parkway.

How do we get to Merrimack Valley?

Being in the Greater Boston Area, Merrimack Valley has endless routes of transportation options. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Commuter Line (MBTA) offers four subway lines, 13 rail lines, five boat routes and 170 bus routes covering over 1,038 square miles. It’s provided to 78 cities and towns, including Merrimack Valley. There are also Amtrak trains to deliver safe, timely service to the surrounding major cities.

By Car: Merrimack Valley is conveniently located in Massachusetts and is easily accessed by four major highways: I-95, I-93, I-495 and Rt.3.

By Air: Two airports are nearby Merrimack Valley: Boston Logan International Airport and Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. Boston Logan International Airport is New England’s largest transportation center. Manchester Airport is known for its competitive airfares and inexpensive parking. Both have growing schedules of non-stop connections to the world.